Weekly Recap: November 27 – December 2
The Rochester Americans capped a rollercoaster week with two wins and one loss, showcasing both resilience and determination. Here’s a breakdown of the action:
Game 1: Cleveland Monsters 5, Rochester Americans 4 (November 27)
Despite a dominant three-goal first period, the Amerks fell short against the red-hot Cleveland Monsters, who scored three unanswered goals to claim a 5-4 victory. This marked Rochester’s first loss to Cleveland this season after winning the first three meetings.
- Standouts:
- Jack Rathbone (1+1) and Graham Slaggert (1+1) both recorded multi-point outings.
- Ryan Johnson notched two assists, marking his first two-assist performance of the season.
- Devon Levi, in his third start of the year, made 20 saves but took the loss.
Game 2: Rochester Americans 3, Syracuse Crunch 0 (November 29)
Rochester bounced back with a stellar performance against their intrastate rival Syracuse Crunch. Devon Levi was perfect between the pipes, earning his first professional shutout, while Isak Rosén lit up the scoresheet with two goals and an assist.
- Standouts:
- Isak Rosén factored into all three goals, collecting his second three-point outing of the season.
- Brett Murray chipped in with his sixth goal of the campaign.
- Devon Levi turned aside all 20 shots he faced, including a dominant third period.
Game 3: Rochester Americans 3, Syracuse Crunch 2 (SO) (November 30)
Rochester capped the week by erasing a two-goal deficit and securing a thrilling shootout win over Syracuse on the road. Isak Rosén continued his hot streak, scoring his third goal of the weekend, while Devon Levi stood tall in the shootout to clinch back-to-back victories.
- Standouts:
- Kale Clague extended his point streak to three games, adding a goal to his strong stretch.
- Viktor Neuchev was the lone scorer in the shootout, sealing the win for Rochester.
- Devon Levi stopped 13 of 15 shots and denied all four shootout attempts.
Team Highlights:
- Devon Levi posted a stellar 2-1 record with his first professional shutout, stopping 53 of 60 shots over three games.
- Isak Rosén led the offense, scoring four points (3+1) in the two-game sweep of Syracuse.
- Kale Clague has quietly built a three-game point streak, contributing five points (2+3) in his last five games.
Looking Ahead: December 4 – December 7
The Amerks enter this week with a 10-6-3-0 record and momentum after a strong finish to November. Here’s a look at what’s next:
- Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Home vs. Utica Comets (7:05 PM):
A divisional clash with the Comets, who always pose a tough challenge. Rochester will look to continue their strong play at Blue Cross Arena. - Friday, Dec. 6 – Away at Charlotte Checkers (7:00 PM):
The first of a back-to-back against the Checkers in Charlotte. The Amerks will need to bring their A-game against a well-rounded opponent. - Saturday, Dec. 7 – Away at Charlotte Checkers (6:00 PM):
The second game in as many nights against Charlotte will test Rochester’s depth and stamina.
Key to Success:
Maintaining consistency in net from Devon Levi, and continued production from top contributors like Isak Rosén and Kale Clague, will be critical as the Amerks aim to climb the standings in the Atlantic Division.